The AssureWel system of welfare outcome assessment will be first field-tested and introduced within the RSPCA Freedom Food and Soil Association Certification farm assurance schemes. These schemes will use welfare outcome assessment to help assess compliance with their scheme's standards. Producers can be given feedback (including benchmarking) to help monitor and improve welfare on their farm. Advice and support will also be given to producers and producer groups to help further improve welfare. Welfare outcome data can also be used by the scheme's to inform standards development.

Planned timeline for introduction of welfare outcome assessment into the RSPCA and Soil Association schemes:

The project also supports other farm assurance schemes in using welfare outcome assessment to its full potential to improve farm animal welfare, and encourages the use of the AssureWel approach.

Collaboration opportunities

AssureWel would like to collaborate with other assurance schemes, retailers, producer groups, government bodies and researchers in the application of welfare outcome assessment. Please contact us for more information.